Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books

According to people in the know, there are two Frances: Paris and the rest of the (alluring, picturesque) country. In this episode, we’re celebrating the châteaux, coastlines, cathedrals, cuisine, mountains, and museums that give France its unique je ne sais quoi.It’s hard to argue with the notion that France offers the best of everything. From scenery and snacks to iconic art, world-changing history, and culture-shaping fashion, it’s practically ground zero for the good things in life. The light is golden. The wine is luscious. The cheese is heavenly, and the scenery is so beautiful, it makes the heart yearn. You can take a road trip or a bike ride among the purple rivers of lavender fields in Provence or the gilt-and-green vineyards in Burgundy. Loll in the sun and splash in the sea along the Riviera — or tour a château where nobles ruled and romanced 500 years ago. Wander the streets and cafés that inspired Vincent Van Gogh, then relax under a shade tree with a perfect baguette and the world’s best butter.In this episode, we take a virtual road trip around France, explore the Bayeux Tapestry, and get curious about an obscure (and deeply romantic) French law. Then we recommend five great books that took us to France on the page.Clara Reads Proust by Stéphane Carlier, translated by Polly MackintoshJoan by Katherine J. ChenMurder on the Île Sordou by M.L. LongworthA Woman of No Importance by Sonia PurnellFresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin, translated by Hildegarde SerleFor more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit our show notes.Sign up for our free Substack to connect with us and other smart, friendly people who love travel and books.Transcript of France: Mostly Here for the ButterDo you enjoy our show? Do you want access to awesome bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon! Strong Sense of Place is an audience-funded endeavor, and we need your support to continue making this show. Get all the info you need right here. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since we launched Strong Sense of Place in 2020, we’ve produced five seasons — 56 episodes — of the show. We’ve also shared our affection for books through 101 episodes of The Library of Lost Time podcast — and we’ve introduced you to 500 books we love.Thanks to you, we’ve had over one million downloads (!) and, the best part of all, we feel like we’re part of a massive book club filled with the best people. Thank you for that!In this mini-episode, we each looked back through our book recommendations to find our top 10 titles from the first five seasons of the show. Maybe you’ll find your new favorites, too!Find all the book titles and the corresponding podcast episodes on our blog.Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplaceAs always, you can find us at: Our site Our FREE Substack Instagram Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We recently invited our audience to ask us anything, and we got excellent questions in return. The queries ran the gamut from ‘What literary theme park would you design?’ to ‘How do you hope people relate to your show?’ and ‘Are you still thinking about developing tours of bookshops in Europe?’In this mini-episode, we answer those questions and more — including what we do if we find a great book after a show has aired, what the inside of our podcast recording booth looks like, and whether or not Dave is really 6’5". And, due to popular demand, we deliver an update on our cat Smudge.LinksWe answered other popular questions in previous editions of ‘Ask Us Anything,’ including how we met, whether or not we really love everything we recommend, previous jobs, and more. 2020 Ask Us Anything2021 Ask Us AnythingTranscript of this episode.Do you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplaceAs always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 6 of the Strong Sense of Place podcast starts 24 May!We’ve put together an itinerary of 12 thrilling destinations with a journey to every region of the globe. Pack your (virtual) bags for Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South America, and two great cities on opposite coasts of the United States. This time, we’re also heading to space (and two other super-fun themes). Get ready to explore customs, history, scenery, food, art, and more — all you need is your curiosity, an open heart, and a favorite spot to read. Click right here to see stunning photos of our Season 6 destinations.Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplaceAs always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about two books: Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench & Brendan O’Hea and The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson. Then Dave recommends a website to find new-to-you music.Links Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench & Brendan O’Hea The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson Similar Songs Finder website Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplaceAs always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about two books: Honor the Dead by Amy Tector and Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne. Then, our special guest author, Amy Tector, shares how she starts her day with poems. LinksHonor the Dead: Dominion Archives Mystery #3 by Amy Tector by Amy TectorSociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne Honor the Dead: Dominion Archives Mystery #3 by Amy Tector by Amy TectorSociopath: A Memoir by Patric GagneAmy Tector’s websiteAmy Tector on Substack: Méli-MéloThe Foulest Things: Dominion Archives Mystery #1 by Amy TectorSpeak for the Dead: Dominion Archives Mystery #2 by Amy TectorThe Honeybee Emeralds by Amy TectorLouise Penny Transported Me Home When I Needed it Most — an essay by Amy TectorVideo: Murder and Mayhem in the Canadian Archive w/ Amy, Mel, and DaveTranscript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplaceAs always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about two books: ‘Cold People’ by Tom Rob Smith and ‘Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life’ by Dacher Keltner. Then Mel shares the delicious history of Berlin’s currywurst.LinksCold People by Tom Rob SmithAwe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher KeltnerCurrywurst HistoryCurrywurst RecipeTop 20 Hangover FoodsHerta Heuwer Memorial PlaqueHerta Heuwer Google DoodleTranscript of this episodeThe Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplaceAs always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Twitter Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about two books: How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin and Table for Two: Fictions by Amor Towles. Then Mel explains how much she’s loving the new Brontë Parsonage podcast. LinksHow to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen PerrinTable for Two: Fictions by Amor TowlesRules of Civility by Amor TowlesA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor TowlesThe Lincoln Highway by Amor TowlesPodcast: Russia: Revolution, Hope, and VodkaVideo: A Gentleman in Moscow trailerBrontë Parsonage websiteBehind the Glass: A Parsonage PodcastThe Guardian on Anne Brontë’s interest in geologyPhotos that take you inside the ParsonageVideo: Tour of the ParsonageRowan Coleman’s websiteThe Brontë Mysteries series by Bella EllisBella Ellis on InstagramTranscript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplaceAs always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we’re excited two new books: The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft and Why We Remember: The Science of Memory and How It Shapes Us by Charan Ranganath. Then Dave shares his thrilling experience at Guys and Dolls in London.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/StrongSense and get on your way to being your best self.LinksThe Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer CroftFlights by Olga TokarczukExcerpt of The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer CroftWhy Translators Should Be Named on Book Covers27 Great Books In TranslationWhy We Remember: The Science of Memory and How It Shapes Us by Charan RanganathNye at the National Theatre, LondonNational Theatre Tour infoSix, The Musical around the worldGuys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre, LondonCabaret at the Kit Kat Club, LondonTranscript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplaceAs always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about two books: The Morningside by Téa Obreht and James by Percival Everett. Then Mel tells us about an unforgettable Sri Lankan meal at Rambutan.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/StrongSense and get on your way to being your best self.LinksThe Morningside by Téa ObrehtThe Tiger’s Wife by Téa ObrehtTéa Obreht on How She Found The MorningsideExcerpt of The Morningside by Téa ObrehtJames by Percival EverettPodcast: Sri Lanka: Remarkable, Relentless, ResplendentRambutan: Recipes from Sri Lanka by Cynthia ShanmugalingamRambutan website and InstagramRecipes from Rambutan here and hereBorough Market websiteCubitts eyeglassesTranscript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplaceAs always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices